Bizarre sea creature caught on Gulf rig camera (video)

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 2 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 3 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 4 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 5 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 6 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic.

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic.

Image 7 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 8 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 9 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 10 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 11 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 12 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 13 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 14 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 15 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic.

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic.

Image 16 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 17 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 18 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 19 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 20 of 21

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature briefly comes into frame before disappearing. But just when the camera operator things it has disappeared for good, the creatures comes back for a thorough visit. less

A strange sea creature, filmed about 5,000 feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico by an oil-rig camera, is thought to be a rarely seen jelly fish that’s more at home near the Antarctic. The creature ... more

Image 21 of 21

Bizarre sea creature caught on Gulf rig camera (video)

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A great deal of mystery surrounds the photos above.

When the video they were pulled from was taken, where, and just exactly what the heck that thing is dancing in front of the underwater camera of an oil platform.

According to the news blog Zeibiz, scientists think the “large blob” swimming slowly toward the camera is the rarely seen jellyfish known as depstaria reticulum. That’s based on the hexagonal pattern on its skin. The video is believed to be shot in the Gulf of Mexico about two years ago.

These bizarre jellyfish can be up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) wide and are more apt to be found near the Antarctic than in the Gulf of Mexico.

An international team led by the University of Southampton in England has created the first global jellyfish database to map jellyfish populations in the oceans. The project is known as JeDI, for Jellyfish Database Initiative.

It’s not unusual for subsea cameras used by offshore oil and gas facilities to capture up-close shots of deep-sea creatures.

Houston-based subsea equipment provider Oceaneering recently was using such a camera (called a remotely operated vehicle, or ROV) for a Shell project when it captured this massive shark floating through the Gulf.